Month: April 2014

I love the Arabic language, the beauty of its curving letters and the detailed strokes of each letter which joins together to make beautiful passages as well as beautiful art. This is an old text from the 16th Century, depicting an ayat (verses from the Holy Quran) which was painstakingly written out by scribes during this time. I love the beautiful neatness of this piece of writing, the sloping, long letters highlighted with gold paint and the beautiful calligraphy – it’s not often you get to see some old texts like these.

I wanted to take a close-up of this picture but wasn’t able to because this piece exhibited behind glass, but perhaps I’ll get to see something similar to this again, and try to get a better picture!

I’m reading (or rather, re-reading!) a fantasy series by one of my favourite authors Juliet Marillier, called The Bridei Chronicles, which is based on the Picts, Britons and druid-lore, so nice and detailed the way I like it.

My sister Happy Muslim Mama is a productive mama, and this is her latest venture: the Ramadan and Eid Planner 2014/1435. It’s a journal and planner aimed at making the most of the upcoming Ramadan and Eid, designed to set goals, plan ahead and reflect during this blessed time.

The planner is complete free to download and very useful, so go ahead, download it and use it! And please do leave feedback either here or on Happy Muslim Mama’s blog, as there’s always tips needed for future projects!

I was on my way to eat at the delectable Motown and spotted this giant feathery fella on the walls, which I promptly took a snap of. I love the detail of this piece, and think it makes a great addition to the art that is already on Brick Lane. Now, to find a peacock on the walls, that’ll make me even happier…!

“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect.”
[Al-Rum: 21]

“It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love).”
[AI-A`raf: 189]

I don’t often post about personal things too much, mainly because I’m quite a reserved person, and I’m also a little choosy about what I write/photograph/draw about. I do have some good news to share though, and would like your prayers over the next few months as I take a new step in my journey towards good things.

I’m happy to say that I’m getting married at the end of this year, and it’s something which has kept me emotional and ecstatic in turns. I’d like to share my news and ask you to keep me in your prayers and share your advice, blessings and of course any tips you find helpful as I look forward to the rest of the year : )

A friend of mine (who blogs here!) is a big fan of Frieda Kahlo, and issued a challenge to all her friends online to draw her a Frieda Kahlo in their own interpretation. Here was my submission, which was a quick 20 minute piece I did on my drawing tablet, which I was quite pleased with (it helps that I have an excellent tablet!)

My Frieda was not intentionally meant to be a Eastern-inspired one, but I suppose with the lotus in her hair, the pale skin and red lips, not to mention the jade jewellery made it that way. It’s nice to draw something which lets me play around with different colours and brushes, and also doesn’t feel like a big project. I’m working on something else, which I’ll hopefully be posting as soon as it’s finished, but until then, happy holidayds/Easter/Bank Holiday weekend, and hope you ate lots of spherical and egg-shaped chocolates!

I’ve been super-busy at work recently, but I’m freeeeee now, partly because of the long Bank Holiday weekend (yay England!) and also partly because I’ve finally managed to finished doing half the things that were keeping me busy, not least a super-long job application which was driving me crazy.

So here’s to some fun blog posts coming soon, lots of relaxing time and some feel-good time by watching old movies from the 90s : )

Remember those tv shows when we were children, where you always needed pipe cleaners (which I never had), some poster paint (also didn’t have) and some nimble hands (I was a clumsy child)? I feel like this is a promotion for one of those, although don’t worry, there’s not ‘here’s one I made earlier’ joke in this post.

I’ve started a mini project this weekend, although I haven’t gotten this far (partly because I was meant to use a templates for some of it, and I’ve printed out the wrong size!) It’s been fun to get my hands busy and do something creative, especially because I feel like I’ve been a bit lazy lately. I won’t say what I’m making yet, but I will post results soon!

Hope you had a proactive weekend, even if you did just sit in the sunshine and not move much : )

It’s been a while since I’ve been to a tea-place of any kind, so it was nice to catch with with friends recently while nibbling cake and sipping on tea (or coca-cola in my case, I’m the only person I know from all of my friends who don’t drink tea. I’m also the only one who doesn’t think that’s weird!)

My friends and I went to the lovley Caffe Concerto, which consisted of some afternoon delight of scones with jam, lots of chocolate cake and some creamy tea (plus a bottle of coke for me). The place itself is beautiful and reassuringly quiet, we were in the middle of a busy shopping centre yet it didn’t feel like it because of how subdued it was inside. So here’s a few pictures of what we ate (I wanted to take more pictures of the surroundings but didn’t get a chance to!) – it’s nice to savour some cake and catch up with friends every now and then, I’m hoping that I get to do it more often!